At last ... hotel booking is open for the Palers' Festival. Please click on this link and fill in your room requirements: you will get the discount rate (99 dollars for a double room) that 'Beyond the Pale' has negotiated for Procol Harum fans at the Sheraton Universal ... very close to the Procol gig, and to BBKing's Blues Club where our Palers' Festival events from 25–28 July will take place.

Added a page with ticket-prices and online booking for the LA Palers' Festival, 25–28 July. Please choose either (a) the ticket for the entire "Leaving for the Coast" extended weekend (the Players' events and the two parties) or (b) the ticket for just the Monday events (the meal before the gig, the party afterwards). Tickets are of course available on a first-come first-served basis.

Added curious evidence of recent interest in A Whiter Shade of Pale from the British tabloids ... an article from the Daily Mail about the origins of the famous organ solo (thanks, Geoff), and an opportunity from the Daily Mirror to download an AWSoP ringtone ... presumably again the famous organ solo ... for your mobile 'phone (thanks, Sam)

Looking forward to publishing more information about Palers' Base-Camp Hotel in Los Angeles, and booking arrangements for the 'Leaving for the Coast' Palers' Festival ... but that will have to wait a little while longer still. Meanwhile, check what's already announced, and clear your diaries !

Added a preliminary page announcing a three-day Palers' Festival to be held in Los Angeles, USA, on 26, 27 and 28 July 2003. This is based on the very successful conventions and parties that 'Beyond the Pale' has held in Europe each year this century ... we are delighted at last to be promoting one in America for all our trans-Atlantic friends. Full details of venues, attractions, prices, and how to book tickets online will be added to the page in days to come. Note that 28 July is a Monday ... so fix that day off work now! We shall shortly announce discounted BtP accommodation in a great Hollywood hotel so do not book anything yet.

As an important and enjoyable part of the Palers' Festival, Roland and Jens will reconvene The Palers' Band to play more Procol music ... with the opportunity for a good stretch of rehearsal. Hired gear will of course include a Hammond B3 and we shall shortly announce our excellent rehearsal and performance venues. So if you play or sing, and would like to be part of this incarnation of The Palers' Band (it is open to all!) then visit the Palers' Band sign-up page and send us your details, and name the songs and instruments you'd like to play.

Also added, as promised, four new Procol Harum dates in four different countries: here, here, here and here(thanks, Chris; thanks, Stefano)